Warren County students escape serious injury in 1-81 crash, bus driver charged

A group of Warren County students escaped serious injury after being involved in a school bus crash that occurred Wednesday evening, Sept. 21, on Interstate 81 in Rockingham County.

Virginia State Police spokesman Sergeant Brent Coffey said his agency is investigating the crash that occurred at 9:54 p.m. along Interstate 81 at the 261-mile-marker.

Coffey stated in a media release that a school bus being driven by Jennifer L. Lowe, 48, of Markham, Va. rear-ended a highway truck that was set up in a northbound lane work zone. The truck was in the right lane and bearing a flashing message board directing drivers to the left lane. Workers were setting out coned for the lane closure when the bus struck the truck.

Two 15-year-old female passengers on the school bus suffered minor injuries in the crash and were transported to Sentara RMH Medical Center for treatment.

There were 17 students on the school bus at the time of the crash.

The driver of the work truck, a 21-year-old male of Salem, Va., suffered minor injuries in the crash and was treated on the scene.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the incident.

Lowe was charged with reckless driving and the crash remains under investigation.